Tidbits from Tampa

Daralyn Reed, California republican delegate alternate provided updates on her activities, and those traveling with her, throughout the week from the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

Daralyn Reed

Daralyn Reed, California republican delegate alternate provided updates on her activities, and those traveling with her, throughout the week from the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

Tuesday was a whirlwind. After high winds, a few hours of pounding rain and more wave action through the night, we were ready to head for Tampa. We had a rental car and destination in mind. Debbie Bacigalupi (congressional candidate from California's 14th district) had a special invitation to an event sponsored by The Republican National Coalition for Life titled "Treasure Life" held at the Aquarium in Tampa. The rental car may have been a mistake as we got turned around due to the security ring circling the convention hall.

Speaker Michele Bachmann said, "Hurricane Isaac dispatched Joe Biden from Tampa, and in November we're going to dispatch President Obama right out of Washington D.C." Following her came Governor Rick Perry and Rick Santorum spoke.

Then it was off to the convention. The crowds were gathering when we arrived. The security checks were numerous and at each one we had something else confiscated from our purses. We had expected to find a lot of vendors selling campaign paraphernalia at the forum but there were only two small official GOP/Romney-Ryan stores with expensive items. Alas, our shopping genes were thwarted!

But, the forum interior and program were awesome. As each state answered its roll call nomination vote, beautiful scenes from that particular state played on the screens. The long agenda of speakers featured many younger and new faces on the Republican political scene.

Of special note in delivering rousing speeches and rallying around the Party's message were Gov. John Kasich of Ohio; Mia Love, Utah Congressional candidate; Janine Turner, actress and radio personality; Arthur Davis, former Congressman who switched from the Democrat to Republican party; and Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina. Of course, Ann Romney's speech was a grand slam home run followed by another home run by Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey.

All in all, a great day ... but getting back to the hotel took hours by chartered bus .. we've been told the logistics will improve. We sure hope so as going to bed at 4:00 am is no longer easy for 2/3 of us.

On Wednesday we finally had a simple late breakfast in our suite...oatmeal and fruit! What fun to avoid the restaurants.

We were bussed to the convention center in time to visit the GOP shop before the session started, even having time to chow down a hot dog and see the crazy costumes that the media loves to film.Wow! What a slate of speakers. The Republican bench has certainly deepened and broadened. Again, we don't want to repeat what you are seeing for yourself on TV, but we loved New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez's comment about packing a 357 magnum at the age of 18 in her job with her parents' security firm. That brought the entire crowd to its feet.

We stood so many times cheering for the remarks of both Condoleeza Rice and Paul Ryan that we were sure we worked off the hot dog calories. Words simply cannot articulate how truly awesome it was to see these two heartfelt and powerful speeches in person. It made us very proud to be Americans.